After injuries cut Stafford's first two professional seasons short, he shattered several team passing records in 2011, becoming only the fourth quarterback in NFL history to throw for more than 5,000 yards and seventh to toss at least 40 touchdown passes in a single season. Most importantly, he led the Lions to their first playoff appearance in 12 years.

Accepting the award live at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, Stafford dedicated the honor to two groups, starting with his brothers in arms.

"I just want to thank my teammates," he said. "It was a long couple of years and they stuck with me -- the coaching staff, the owners, the GM, everybody. I can't thank them enough for sticking with me, trusting me and understanding something great can happen."

Stafford also thanked the city he now calls home.

"I just want to say how thankful I am to share this with the city of Detroit that's on a comeback of its own. The city has been through a lot and we're just one of the teams there that are trying to make them happy and proud, give them something to cheer for."

As for the other nominees, Sharapova battled back from a 2008 shoulder surgery to regain the number one ranking in the world after falling all the way to 126th.

Crosby missed the majority of two seasons with concussion symptoms, but closed out the 2011-12 campaign with 25 points in the Penguins' final 14 games.

Santana missed the entire 2011 season after shoulder surgery, but returned to pitch the first no-hitter in Mets history in 2012. At the All-Star break he is 6-5 with a 3.24 ERA and 99 strikeouts.

"I just want to congratulate all the other contestants in this category for doing such a great job of working hard, coming back from all those injuries, and really doing successful things on the court, field or whatever it is," Stafford said.

Stafford's teammate Calvin Johnson was nominated for the NFL Player of the Year ESPY, but the award went to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the second year in a row.